Binance keeps operating in the EU months after it was supposed to leave

Binance told its European users it would suspend services on July 1. It is now September, and the exchange is still onboarding new EU clients. Binance withdrew its application for a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Greece on June 24, reportedly because it anticipated an outright rejection from the Hellenic Capital Market Commission after 18 months of engagement. The company said it would seek authorization in another EU member state, with France being the rumored destination. The timeline that didn’t stick MiCA’s transitional period ended on July 1, 2026. Binance notified users across multiple EU countries that it would cease accepting new registrations and full services from that date forward. The company also reassured customers that their assets remained safe and accessible for withdrawals. As of September 4, Binance continued operations in the EU through what has been described as regulatory workarounds. The specific mechanisms haven’t been publicly detailed, but the result is clear: the exchange that said it was leaving is still very much present. Binance executives have reaffirmed their commitment to remaining in Europe and their intention to secure a MiCA license i...